If you suffer from fall allergies, then you are likely experienced with the decision you must make every time you think about taking an allergy pill. You likely ask yourself, "Would I rather deal with the allergy symptoms or the side effects of the allergy pills today?" Among all OTC medications, few have as many side effects as OTC antihistamines, which can make some people so sleepy that they can't even keep their eyes open. As you likely know, some of the ingredients in OTC antihistamines are also the main ingredients in OTC sleeping pills! This fall, stop choosing between allergy symptoms and antihistamine side effects, which both ruin your day, and try these two tips. 

1. Eat These Foods That Control Allergies

While it may sound too-good-too-be-true that you could keep your allergy symptoms in check just by eating the right foods, there are many foods that contain nutrients that have been proven in scientific studies to help control allergies. While others help ease allergy symptoms in other ways, many foods actually contain natural antihistamines. And unlike the antihistamine pills you buy over the counter, foods with natural antihistamines should not make you sleepy. 

Two specific nutrients in foods that are have natural antihistamine properties include quercetin and, surprisingly, vitamin C. 

Foods rich in quercetin include: apples, cranberries, onions, peppers, and even cocoa! Enjoy a hot cup of homemade cocoa before bed for nighttime allergy relief. 

Foods full of vitamin C include: lemon juice (lemon juice has as much vitamin C as orange juice!), other citrus fruits, red peppers, kale, papaya, and broccoli. 

2. Ask your Doctor About Fluticasone Nasal Spray

If you are like many allergy sufferers, you may not bring your allergies up to your doctor, because you think that they will just give you a prescription for another pill to take that has even more side effects that the OTC allergy medications. However, doctors offer many different types of allergy treatments other than pills, and nasal sprays are great options. When you use a nasal spray, you don't have to worry about a pill upsetting your stomach or many of the other gastrointestinal side effects that many oral medications have. 

Fluticasone is a very effective allergy nasal spray that helps control many types of allergies, from outdoor allergies to dust allergies and even pet allergies. Don't fall for the common misconception that allergy nasal sprays only help your runny nose. Nasal sprays can control just as many allergy symptoms as pills can, and fluticasone can also help keep your eyes from getting itchy and watery when the fall air is full of your allergens. 

If you have never used a nasal spray (like Dymista), then you may worry that it will feel awkward spraying something up your nose! That is a common feeling, but your doctor will show you exactly how to use your nasal spray, so you feel confident that you are spraying it in your nose properly. 

If you suffer from fall allergies and tired of choosing between allergy symptoms and OTC allergy pill side effects, which can both ruin your day, then follow these two tips to help overcome your allergies this fall with no pills necessary!